Jay Raymond Art

Revelry, Jay Raymond, Oil on panel, 30 x 40 inches

Jay Raymond, Leap and Rise, oil on panel, 30 x 40 inches In a previous post this image appeared as a digital painting. This is the final piece in oil. All of my current works, including this one, begin as abstract compositions drawn in a 3.5 x 5 inch sketchbook. There is no preconceived idea about what the image will be. Instead, I begin with a few lines and begin playing with forms to develop interesting positive and negative shapes. My natural inclinations sometimes emerge in hints of figurative or landscape elements, but many times there's really no obvious references to those, and the image becomes an exploration of interesting ways to divide space and experiment with color effects. I like to use color harmony and dissonance and effects such as simultaneous contrast to infuse energy and vibrance. Josef Albers' Interaction of Color is a recent re-read for me, and while it was once simply required reading during my college art days, it is now very interesting and relevan...

Jay Raymond, Spring Glory, oil on canvas, 36 x 72 inches This large piece began as a small 2.5 x 5 inch drawing. Through an analog to digital to analog (let's call it the ada technique) approach, I employed the latest digital tools for development of the color composition on an iPad and output the final digital painting to an inkjet printer for reference. Using a digital projector, I enlarged the digital painting directly to the canvas for transfer using pencil. As I was working through this process, I was recalling the old master techniques David Hockney discussed in the book Secret Knowledge . In that book, Hockney's extensive research led him to conclude that artists such as Caravaggio, Velazquez, da Vinci, and others used lenses to create their masterpieces. It is fascinating to think that the old masters were using optical technology in the 16th and 17th centuries, and that they would likely be using all of the modern tools available today to aid in producing their...

To Fly, 2018, Digital Painting In my previous posting , I mentioned the many sketches I've created over the past several years that I've intended to develop into large paintings and sculpture. As I continue to experiment with ArtStudio and iPad as a digital painting tool, I'm finding that I'm able to quickly work out many possible variations on composition and explore color combinations. This is one of 16 versions of this theme. There are several I'd like to execute on canvas including monochromatic versions that I've not developed as digital paintings, but live in my head. I admire Frank Stella's work in the 80's where he was working out interpreting Moby Dick. His use of line and application of color was on my mind as I developed this version of the theme.

Recently, I've been experimenting with using digital tools to develop quick abstract compositions. These compositions are really meant to provide a space within which I can test color schemes for large paintings. I've been creating small drawings over the last few years with the idea that they will ultimately be translated onto big canvases and even sculpture. Sketchbook drawing I might have over a hundred of these sketches that are explorations of line, shape and form. Many of these are related to the figure in some way, even though I begin each one without an idea of what the resulting image will be. Rather, I begin with a line or shape that interests me and build upon that to develop a balance of positive and negative space and movement. Suggestions of a figure, or figures, often emerge unintentionally. As a composition grows, the figure, or simply parts of a figure might suggest themselves. Mostly, I'm interested in creating interes...

Cloud Study, 2013

Carlos Creek Winery Painting Completed I finally completed the large vineyard painting I'd been working on for the owners of the Carlos Creek Winery in Minnesota. This is 24 x 36 inches, acrylic on board. As can be seen through the vivid green of the field and foliage, this is the peak of summer with the sun fully lighting the landscape. It was a glorious day to be wandering the grounds enjoying the many interesting views of vines, trees, amazing skies, and the occasional company of the winery dogs. They are definitely favorite characters at Carlos Creek. Within this painting are many interesting sub-compositions I might end up using as references for other paintings or for some printed products. Here are a few:

Carlos Creek Winery, Oil on paper, 2.5 x 3.5 inches It's been a while since I last painted with oil paints, but I finally purchased a nice set of Winsor and Newton tubes from Dick Blick in Edina, Minnesota. I love these paints so far. This is a small study in the ACEO format. Oil on paper, 2.5 by 3.5 inches.

View of the Winery, Acrylic, 2.5 x 3.5 inches I built a pochade box and wanted to test it out in my studio before embarking on a field-trip. The pochade box is small and very light weight. It's perfect for small paintings in the 5 x 7 inches range. It should be easy to pack into the field for plein aire sessions. This small painting is the first to come off the pochade, and it's based on some photo's I took last summer during a research trip for a larger commissioned piece.

Mondavi Winery, 11" x 14", Acrylic on canvas I recently completed a commissioned painting of the Mondavi Winery located in Napa Valley, California. The person who commissioned this piece gave it as a gift to her son to commemorate his wedding anniversary. Photo's were mailed to me, and I supplemented them with research I conducted to better understand the layout of the facility. The Mondavi Winery is one I've visited with my family, but it's been several years since I was there. Working on this painting brought back some fond memories. Below are some of the ARTifacts related to creating this composition. The challenge for me was to provide enough of the architecture to sufficiently describe the buildings. Although it was difficult to clearly decipher the architecture from the snapshots provided by the client, a little research resulted in enough references that I was able to create a decent representation. Folks that have visited the winery...

I'm currently working on a larger vineyard painting for a Minnesota winery , and while I don't really like showing something that's not yet finished, I thought I could show a small part of this piece in progress. For me, there's a period during production where I really can't stand the work, and there are thoughts of abandonment and starting over. At this point in the piece, I'm emerging out of that phase kind of with one foot in and one foot out. There are areas that are starting to sing, but most of it is a fingernail on the chalkboard. At least I'm starting to feel the image, and design directions and decisions are becoming more clear. The next phase is the momentum phase in which I'll really start to make progress. Areas that are now ambiguous and weak will begin to resolve. Green is a very challenging color to work with, and this particular landscape is tough due to the fact it is dominated by very similar greens. I'll be departing from re...

    I'm currently working on a large painting for the Carlos Creek Winery in Minnesota. I've completed a number of small studies based on photographs I took during last summer's research trip. (Of course, I had to research their wine, too! It's excellent, by the way.) My studies have included pencil drawings, composite photo manipulations, marker drawings, and small paintings. This particular image re presents an area of the winery not included in the larger piece I'm completing, but it's one of the many beautiful areas that exist at the winery. It's my first try at working in the artist trading card format. It's a whopping 2.5 x 3.5 inches! 

Relief Printmaking Lesson - Foam Plate Method - Grades K-12 Jay Raymond Objective Students will learn about relief printmaking by producing an edition of prints using inexpensive materials such as a foam roller, foam plates, water soluble printing inks or acrylic paint, and cheap printer paper. Important art concepts will be addressed such as the history of printmaking, the processes of printmaking, the understanding of the difference between art reproductions and original prints,  the elements and principles of art and design . The elements addressed include line, shape, color, value, texture. The principles include rhythm, balance, and contrast. History of Printmaking Download a very nice   History of Printmaking   pdf from Washington State University. Relief printmaking - Any process in which the printing surface is cut away so that the image area alone remains raised on the surface. Ink is rolled acros...

This is a list of some artists I've discovered online that I find interesting and inspiring.  Painting Alexandre Masino Frank Hyder Hung Liu Isaac Arvold Joe Paquet Justin Clayton - Painting a Day Phenom Kim Bernard Encaustics Linda Womack Mark Rothko Mitch Albala Outsider Artist TMNK Patricia Seggebruch Paula Roland T. L. Solien Terry Jerrard-Dimond Tom Brown Tracy Spadafor Victoria Ryan   Sculpture Richard Taylor Tom Corbin

Relief Printmaking with Foam Plates by Jay Raymond Figure Drawing with Henri Matisse

This is a list of my favorite sites including organizations and publications. The Abundant Artist - 15 Ways to Sell Art Online Art Beast Art Biz Blog Art Business  Art Daily Art in America Ceramic Arts Daily The Crossing Arts Alliance Gallery Minerva Minneapolis Institute of Arts Minnesota Artists Organization Rosalux Gallery School Arts Magazine Visual Arts Minnesota

This is a list of some good tutorials and tips for creating art that I have found on the internet. Some of the items contain step-by-step instructions, and how-to video's. Bookmark this page as a reference to some very good resources.  Drawing Figure Drawing eBooks Practical Drawing  Painting 6 Basics of Landscape Painting by Ben Fenske - pdf Build Your Own Pochade Box Another Pochade Box Design The Art of the Landscape  Dan Shultz - Landscape Painting Demonstration Encaustic Recipe Essential Concepts of Landscape Painting Jon Houglam - Oil Painting Landscape Demo  Oil Painting Tutorials : How to Start and Finish an Oil Landscape Painting Painting Landscapes : Tips on how to see and mix the greens Paintmaking - Make your own paint   "Vineyard Patterns" Demonstration Painting by Jennifer Young Watercolor Painting Lessons by John Lovett  Sculpture Cement and Paper Fiber Sculpting Cement Sculpture Reinforced with...

The arts enhance and beautify our lives, but art can be a vehicle to help make real, life-changing improvements for people. For example, artists and arts organizations often sponsor charitable activities such as art auctions, exhibits and concerts that raise money in support of feeding the hungry. The United Nations and World Health Organization estimate that 1.7 million deaths each year from water-borne diseases such as diarrhea are preventable through clean water, safe hygiene practices, and adequate sanitation. I have committed as an artist to contribute a portion of each art sale to help people in communities throughout the world suffering from no clean water source. I'm partnering with Operation Blessing and the Living Water Wells and Cisterns mission. Wells in Nigeria bring clean drinking water to 6,000 villagers. From their website: "Operation Blessing deals with this challenge head-on by drilling bore wells to provide clean water and maximizing the benefit...

Kawishiwi River in August 2010, Acrylic on Canvas 16 x 20 inches In early August, my family spent a week at a resort in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northern Minnesota. My brother and I took some time one afternoon to enjoy a short canoe trip into the BWCA on the Kawishiwi River. The day started out sunny and later turned overcast. The water was beautiful, reflecting the grey sky and trees. The area of the river depicted in this painting is a narrows where there are large boulders underwater and along the shore. We met a few other canoers, some of whom looked as though they were packed for an extended stay in the wilderness. This is an area I'd like to return to for a longer trip myself someday. This painting was a special one for me, as it is a Christmas gift to my brother. My brother Bryan holding his painting

Napa Vineyard 2010, Acrylic on Canvas 11 x 14 inches I finished another Napa, California vineyard painting for a colleague interested in a painting in this subject and style. This was an enjoyable image to work on, and it brought back memories of sunny days exploring quiet roads in the valley. On this particular day, my wife and I spent an afternoon enjoying the landscape and taking photographs. It was one of those bright, sunny days in which everything seemed happy. This painting is SOLD